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Chapter 30: A Terrible Mistake
They continued their work, occasionally breaking into lighthearted bickering, but eventually, the place started looking more like an actual shop rather than an abandoned storage room.
At one point, Kara accidentally knocked over a jar, sending dried leaves scattering across the floor.
Zayn smirked. "Oh, nice job, professional cleaner."
Kara huffed, shoving the leaves into a pile. "Shut up and help me pick these up."
They continued their work, the occasional banter keeping the tedious task somewhat entertaining.
After what felt like hours, they finally finished. The shelves were wiped down, the herbs and potions were neatly organized, and the shop looked much less like a dusty relic from a forgotten age.
The alchemist inspected their work, nodding approvingly. "Hmph. Not bad. For adventurers, at least."
Zayn wiped his hands on his pants. "You could just say we did a good job."
The old man snorted. "Where’s the fun in that?"
Bran stretched his arms. "So, about that reward...?"
The alchemist chuckled. "Impatient, aren’t you?"
He reached beneath the counter and pulled out a small wooden box, opening it to reveal several neatly arranged vials.
"Here," he said, handing them over. "A few of my best elixirs. They’ll keep you alive when things get rough."
Zayn eyed them. "What do they do?"
"Standard healing properties, but with a few enhancements of my own." The old man smirked. "They’ll work faster and restore more stamina than your average healing potion. Consider it a bonus for not breaking anything while cleaning."
Kara took one, examining the liquid inside. "Huh. Not bad."
The alchemist waved a hand dismissively. "Now, get out of my shop. You’re done here."
Tobias nodded. "Thank you for the reward."
As they stepped out into the fresh air, Zayn took a deep breath, relieved to be out of the dusty shop.
"Well," Bran said, pocketing his elixir. "That wasn’t too bad."
Zayn cracked his neck. "If I never have to clean another shelf again, it’ll be too soon."
Tobias adjusted his glasses. "It was necessary."
Kara smirked. "And hey, at least we got to see Zayn struggle with dust."
Zayn shot her a look. "I will remember this."
She grinned. "Oh, I hope so."
The marketplace was alive with the hum of merchants calling out deals, the scent of freshly baked bread mingling with the sharper tang of spices and roasting meat.
It was a familiar scene in Timberstead, one Zayn had grown accustomed to.
He walked with his party, his mind only half paying attention as they made their way back to the GUILD.
After spending the last few hours cleaning an old alchemist’s shop, he was looking forward to something — anything — more exciting.
Then, as if fate had been listening, he bumped into someone.
Zayn barely had time to turn and apologize before a sudden beam of energy tore through the air, slamming into his chest and sending him flying backward.
The impact hit like a hammer.
His body crashed into a wooden wagon, splintering it on impact. The world tilted for a moment as he groaned, pushing himself up from the wreckage.
His party was already on high alert.
Tobias adjusted his glasses, his stance shifting as he immediately analyzed the situation.
Kara had drawn her sword, her eyes narrowed, while Bran was already raising his axe, prepared to strike at whoever had just attacked Zayn.
Then, the hood of the person Zayn had bumped into fell back — revealing a green-skinned woman.
The tension in the air shifted.
"A witch?" Tobias muttered, his voice unreadable.
Bran, however, did not hesitate. He brought his axe down, aiming for the woman with a practiced precision that would have cleaved through a normal opponent.
But before the strike could land, she vanished.
A heartbeat later, she reappeared in front of Zayn.
"Ah — ! Wait, wait, I’m sorry!" she blurted, hands raised.
Zayn, still slightly dazed from the attack, blinked. "What?"
"I didn’t mean to attack you," she said hurriedly. "It was a reflex! I thought you were — well, I thought you were someone else, and I panicked!"
Zayn groaned as he sat up properly. "Panic? That was your panic reaction?"
She winced. "It happens sometimes."
Bran scowled, stepping forward. "You expect us to believe that?"
The witch turned to him, hands still raised in a placating gesture. "I swear, I wasn’t trying to harm him! If I was, do you think I’d be standing here apologizing?"
Kara scoffed. "Witches aren’t exactly known for being honest."
Zayn, rubbing his sore chest, finally got a good look at her.
She was unlike any of the witches he’d seen before in anime. Her emerald green skin contrasted with her long, dark hair, and her eyes held an odd mixture of wariness and regret.
More importantly — she didn’t feel hostile.
"Who are you?" Zayn asked.
She hesitated, glancing around as if worried about being overheard. "I’m Selora."
Tobias studied her. "And what, exactly, are you doing in Timberstead?"
Selora chewed on her lip, seeming hesitant to answer.
Zayn sighed. "Look, if you’re worried that we’re going to attack you again, just explain yourself. You did just blast me through a wagon, after all."
She flinched. "Right, um — again, sorry about that. That spell wasn’t meant for you. I’ve been trying to stay hidden, but I mistook you for someone who’s been hunting me."
Kara exchanged a glance with Bran. "Hunting you?"
Selora shifted on her feet, looking uncomfortable.
Zayn frowned. "You’re saying someone in this town is after you?"
She nodded hesitantly.
Tobias adjusted his glasses. "Who?"
Selora hesitated. "...I don’t know their name. But they’re a mercenary. A dangerous one."
Bran scoffed. "A witch afraid of a mercenary?"
She shot him a glare. "I’m not afraid. I just don’t want to deal with unnecessary trouble."
Zayn exhaled, stretching his back from where he’d been thrown. "Well, congratulations. You’ve already found trouble."
Selora grimaced. "Yeah. I gathered that much."
Zayn exhaled, still feeling the lingering impact of the blast that had sent him crashing through a wagon.
His ribs ached, and while he was no stranger to pain, this was a level of soreness he didn’t particularly enjoy.
Before he could fully push himself up, Selora stared into his eyes.
"Hold still," she murmured, raising her palm.
A soft glow emanated from her hand, illuminating her fingertips with an eerie yet mesmerizing light.
Zayn tensed. Healing magic wasn’t uncommon, and he’d been patched up by Elisse before, but something about Selora’s magic felt... different. 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝖕𝖚𝖇.𝖈𝔬𝔪
"Wait — " he started, but before he could protest, she pressed her palm against his chest.
A sharp sensation ran through his body.
